Overview

• Dare and Hyde counties declared states of emergency and activated mandatory, staggered evacuations for Hatteras and Ocracoke, ordering visitors to leave Monday morning and residents on Tuesday.
• The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Watch for the Outer Banks, predicting severe flooding and ocean overwash from Tuesday through Thursday.
• Forecasters warn waves exceeding 20 feet could breach protective dunes, triggering overwash across N.C. Highway 12 and hindering emergency exit routes.
• Local officials caution that Highway 12 may remain impassable for days, risking isolation of residents and disruption of EMS and supply access.
• Hurricane Erin is forecast to stay offshore while expanding in size, increasing the intensity of coastal flooding and surf conditions along barrier islands.